Javier Baez Returns To Lineup On Tuesday
Javier Baez (thumb) will return to the lineup on Tuesday versus the New York Mets. Baez left Saturday's contest early after aggravating his thumb. Baez sat out Sunday but did pinch hit on Monday. Baez will bat third in his return versus right-hander Taijuan Walker. Baez has been having a very good year with a .235 batting average to go along with 14 home runs, 40 RBI and nine stolen bases. Fantasy managers should start him with him confidence when he is healthy.
Source: Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs shortstop Source: Chicago Cubs
Javier Baez Goes Deep In Third Straight Game
Javier Baez went 2-for-4 with a home run during their 9-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday evening. Baez went deep in the ninth inning with a two-run shot that also scored Jace Jung. This home run was off Los Angeles closer Kenley Jansen. The 32-year-old has been swinging a hot bat over his last seven contests. During this stretch, Baez has posted an impressive .417/.400/.917 slash line with three doubles, three home runs, 10 RBI, and five runs. He also swiped one bag and held a 6:1 K:BB. Before this surge, Baez posted a .258/.300/.303 slash line with three doubles and no home runs. While Baez is enjoying an impressive run at the plate, his .288 xwOBA and 32.8 percent hard-hit rate suggest it may not be sustainable. However, he does have a favorable matchup on Saturday evening, facing Angels right-hander Kyle Hendricks.
Source: MLB.com
Detroit Tigers infielder/outfielder Source: MLB.com
Javier Baez Starting In Center Field On Monday
Javier Baez is making his first-ever start in center field and is batting seventh for Monday's series opener against the visiting San Diego Padres and right-hander Randy Vasquez at Comerica Park. Baez gives the Tigers an extra option in the outfield with Parker Meadows (shoulder) on the injured list, and outfielder Kerry Carpenter (hamstring) is also out of Monday's lineup. However, there's no guarantee that the Puerto Rican product will gain outfield eligibility for fantasy managers. Given how poorly he's played since signing with the Tigers in 2022, Baez's .268/.305/.321 slash line through his first 17 games in 2025 is actually an improvement. But the 32-year-old veteran still has only a .627 OPS, no home runs, three doubles, four RBI and 14 strikeouts in 59 plate appearances as a utility man for Detroit in 2025. The two-time All-Star is no longer an everyday player.
Source: MLB.com
Detroit Tigers shortstop Source: MLB.com
Javier Baez An Option In Center Field
Austin Meadows (arm), Matt Vierling (shoulder) and Wenceel Perez (back), the team's plans at center field remain a question mark heading into Opening Day on Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Detroit recently signed veteran Manuel Margot, but manager A.J. Hinch indicated the tam plans to use him mostly in a corner-outfield spot. Riley Greene, Ryan Kreidler and Javier Baez are all options to see time in center field to begin the season. Baez started a spring training game in center on Saturday, but he has appeared in the outfield in the majors just four times in his 11-year career. The 32-year-old Puerto Rican infielder has tanked offensively since joining the Tigers in 2022, culminating in a poor .184/.221/.294 slash line with a .516 OPS, six homers, 37 RBI and eight steals in 80 games last year. Fantasy managers can continue to avoid Baez in mixed leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Adrian Garro
With injuries to Detroit Tigers outfielders Source: MLB.com - Adrian Garro
Javier Baez Starting In Center Field On Saturday
Javier Baez is penciled in as the center fielder for Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Braves. The Tigers will need a center fielder in the absence of Parker Meadows, who is expected to be out at least until May, but Baez does not seem like the answer with less than five innings of outfield experience on his MLB resume. Wenceel Perez was expected to fill in for the injured Meadows, but Perez is not in the lineup on Saturday. Trey Sweeney is expected to be the Tigers' shortstop this season, with Baez potentially filling in at third base and shortstop when needed, but playing some outfield hints at an all-around utility role. Currently only eligible at SS on Yahoo, the potential addition of 3B and even OF could add some fantasy appeal, however, the 32-year-old bottomed out with a .224 wOBA and 43 wRC+ last season, so the appeal would be limited to deep AL-only leagues.
Source: Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers shortstop Source: Detroit Tigers
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